Repairing a Book

[Ole Joe Clark]

My NRA Guide to Firearms Assembly has served me well during the years, but the other day I noticed this problem. Any suggestions about repair? This is the hardback edition.
I thought about using some rubber cement to attempt to re-glue the spine.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Leon

 

[2152hq]

I've fixed up several of my old and well used text that have come apart like that by using white glue.

I carefully push the rest of the spine apart if it will separate easily enough and they usually do.
Then with a small brush, apply a coat of Elmers type white glue to the spine and other contact areas.
Any of the carpenters wood glues works well too. They're all about the same consistancy.

No need to overdo the application as you don't want any excess to squeeze out and glue the pages together other than at the spine.
Use the glue full strength/thickness. Watered down it'll seep into the pages and glue them together away from the spine.

After applying the glue coating w/a brush (that keeps it nice and even and where you want it),,fold the spine and pages back into place.
I usually set the book on it's spine supported well on the sides upright.
The weight of the book presses the newly glued joint together while it drys.
A little hand pressure to seat the spine along with a delicate wack of the spine squarely on a flat surface (like shuffling a handful of papers) and then smooth out the joint before setting it up like that to dry is also helpful.

 

[H Richard]

I do know that Librarians, and book binders use a type of rubber cement. You might contact one and ask

 

[DWalt]

Look on YouTube.

 

[Onomea]

Youtube has dirctions, as DWalt notes. There is more to a good job than simply applying glue.

 

[DocB]

There is a big difference between restoring a book that is collectable/valuable and repairing a book that you just want to use some more. Libraries are rarely prepared to restore a valuable old book, and usually leave the book as is or contract it out to a restoration expert. On the other hand, libraries are really into repairing a book so more readers can check it out and beat the mess out of it. If you just want to use your book some more, I would do what others have already recommended. . .Elmers glue on the page ends at the spine. You may have to go a page at a time. All you are really doing is gluing the pages to each other over a very small margin. It will amaze you, how well the glue will hold. Plus, it will not cause the paper to deteriorate any further. Elmers is pretty inert.

 

[jrm53]

Where I used to work we did a lot of manuals and I fixed a gun traders guide with their machine, I took the pages and punched slits with the machine and used a big plastic spine with fingers and put it in the spreader and then assembled the pages. I would think that some copy business could do this for you. Jeff

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Books I use frequently (reloading manuals, etc) are generally held together with duct tape.